Patience has a purpose

When you are being patient, you are digging a deep well of mercy and grace. And the source of the mercy and grace is a wellspring of hope and trust following from God.

The water of hope and mercy is sweet and cold and refreshing to the soul.

Patience is learned in the middle of the most everyday, common events of life. 

It is the result of making hundreds of little decisions – to remain quiet and listen, instead of interrupting or giving in to the desire to tell your side of the story before you have fully heard the other side; to stand secure enough within your own self to step away from confrontation that serves no purpose, other than to elicit anger; to remain civil towards others, even when that civility is not returned; to take the high road instead of the lower path that is so easily worn by tramping on the feelings of others.

Patience has a purpose. It isn’t the same as cowardice or avoidance for avoidance’s sake. In fact, patience actively allows mercy and grace to flow through us to the other in order to promote healing and understanding.

Patience is very much an activity that takes place below the surface. Oftentimes leaving the other involved unaware. But eventually, if we let patience have its way, if we let mercy and grace flow from its well inside us, soon we will see love’s brilliance shining through.

The only thing that is lost by being patient is our own agenda. What is gained is healing, understanding and intimacy.

p.s. Just to be very clear, the type of patience being discussed isn't tied to domestic abuse or other forms of violence. It's directly focused on the everyday, almost mundane aspects of day-to-day life.

photo credit: www.womenofgrace.com